Vigna unguiculata 'Crowder'

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Velvety pods and richly flavored seeds—‘Crowder’ delivers a satisfying, nutty depth with a creamy, tender bite once cooked.

The harvest brings a pleasing contrast of firm, dry-cooking beans that soften beautifully, making them a favorite for hearty potfuls and slow-simmered favorites. Grow ‘Crowder’ for dependable, home-garden abundance and a pantry-worthy crop that feels as rewarding to grow as it is to savor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Vigna unguiculata 'Crowder'

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Crowder cowpeas lean into that classic dry-bean satisfaction: they soften to a creamy, velvety interior without turning to paste. If you treat them like the slow-simmering backbone they are—onion, garlic, bay, and a little acid at the end—you get spoonable comfort with a distinctly nutty finish.

Best Uses

slow-simmered cowpea stew with a thick, almost gravy-like broth
dry-cooking style beans for potlikker and spoon-thick soups
pan-cooked cowpeas in a skillet to keep their creamy interior intact
seasoned bean sides—mash lightly, then fold into warm vinaigrette or mayo for a bean salad

Flavor Profile

nutty, savory richness creamy-tender bite when cooked slight sweetness with a dry-bean earthiness velvety, toothsome texture in the pot

Kitchen Pairings

smoked pork onion garlic bay leaf vinegar black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease should I watch for on Vicia faba (fava beans), and how do I manage it at home?

Fava beans (Vicia faba) are especially prone to chocolate spot, which shows as dark, brown lesions on leaves and pods under cool, wet weather. Remove infected leaves early and avoid overhead watering; water at the soil line in the morning. If you’re seeing spreading lesions, treat with a registered copper-based fungicide and repeat as directed on the label.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase?

During the main growth and flowering period, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Check with your finger: the top 1 inch of soil should feel slightly moist, not dry and not soggy. Once pods are forming, don’t let the soil dry out completely, or you’ll get poor pod fill.

How can I tell when Vicia faba (‘Crowder’) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are fully developed and the seeds inside are plump and visibly filling the pod, typically around 75 days from sowing for this type. For dry “crowder” style beans, wait until pods turn brown and the seeds rattle inside, then harvest and finish drying indoors if needed. If you’re harvesting fresh green beans, pick earlier when pods are still tender and seeds are glossy.